Apologies for not posting this recap yesterday, but we had our hands full finishing up our GUEST ROOM GIVEAWAY! Suzi Q of QWeddings will be working her photography magic on Thursday (was postponed, if you happened to have read my Facebook post yesterday) and we cannot wait to share photos of the amazing space. In the meantime, back to the East Austin Studio Tour! Note: One painting below features the mother of all curse words, so if you have kiddos around or are at work, just wanted to give you a heads-up on that. I can’t resist posting it because I just love it so effing much.
There were a few more group studios on my list, so I decided to check them out Sunday. Starting with ARTPOST, I was pleased to see my fave concrete sculptor, Paul Oglesby, was at it again. Interesting to see the evolution of his modern totems–this year, incorporating wood bleached via an ancient Japanese technique:
The delicate nature of the pieces below is intriguing to me–hard to imagine you can fit a steel rod support inside the tiny concrete balls at the top! Paul’s creations are all modular–all of the concrete (and wood) pieces can be stacked in endless combinations. I dream of incorporating his totems as porch supports on my future mod dream house.
Somehow I missed Elizabeth Rathbone‘s work in the E.A.S.T. catalog, but there was no missing it at ARTPOST. You can see the scale is part of it, but her work is so arresting and you kind of have to experience it in person to get that. I thought it was interesting that her dress reminded me of her paintings–you can’t help but feel like she’s working fast and furious, with a little bit of controlled chaos going on. And how cute is the dog??
I try to check out Kristy Darnell Battani‘s work every year on the tour, primarily because she’s always doing something different from year to year and it always seems to blow me away. I just dug this piece so much–all these strips of drug prescriptions–you know there are a million stories behind the chicken scratch!
Another artist at ARTPOST whose work I wish I could have shown you is Marianne McGrath. Stunning.
Supercool metal fence separating ARTPOST and Splinter Group:
You know that amazing, mid-century inspired stereo cabinet by Mark Macek you saw in the E.A.S.T. catalog this year? Uh-mazing. Sounds as good as it looks, too. I was loving the curved, sliding doors in the center of the unit–how do you do that without tambour doors?!
Of course I had to go to Red Bluff Studios and check out the work of one of my faves–Satch Grimley. I was psyched to see more of these plexi-fronted boxes he lent me for the mod condo I staged for 2010’s Modern Home Tour (apologies for the less-than-crisp photos):
This print is touching. You see this phrase on packaging a lot, but taken out of context like this, it seems both funny and heart-wrenching:
Another of Satch’s prints:
Love the design of this modern steel and wood chair by Philip Burkhardt, also on display at Red Bluff Studios:
From there, I headed over to 5305 Bolm Road, where I caught a second showing of Brian Phillips‘ work. I’d fallen in love with his stuff at ARTPOST, but couldn’t get permission for photos there. (If you go to ARTPOST, keep an eye out for his piece, “Beg, Borrow & Steal.” Loved that.) His work is right up my alley…colorful, graphic, at times kitsch-y (in a good way). Prices are great, too, and he’s sporting a Square so he takes plastic!
Outside was the coolest ice cream truck I’ve ever seen. How come this isn’t rolling down the streets of my neighborhood?
Further on down the strip of metal studio buildings, I fell in love with some encaustic paintings by William Geisler. Check out his work here–couldn’t get photos. Of course I had to stop in and say hi to Judy Paul, but dang it if I missed taking photos! There were so many people in her studio when I stopped by, but I really enjoyed seeing her new work. Definitely go check that out. She’s also savvy enough to take plastic, FYI.
Cracked up over Karen Woodward‘s playful totem and glass figures. How can you not smile, looking at her work? I just love anything with a sense of humor.
Although I neglected to get photos, I thoroughly enjoyed Revi Meicler‘s work at Big Medium. Photos online are incredible enough, but seeing her stuff in person was a treat.
What a fun day–can’t wait to head out again next weekend!
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